Years Ago

Today is Friday, Jan. 3, the third day of 2014. There are 362 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1521: Martin Luther is excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Leo X.

1777: Gen. George Washington’s army routs the British in the Battle of Princeton, N.J.

1861: More than two weeks before Georgia secedes from the Union, the state militia seizes Fort Pulaski at the order of Gov. Joseph E. Brown.

1870: Groundbreaking takes place for the Brooklyn Bridge.

VINDICATOR FILES

1989: Area police departments report the arrest of more than 50 people on charges of drunken driving over the New Year’s weekend.

The Girard Board of Education names William F. Blascak, former assistant superintendent of Trumbull County Schools, to serve as interim head of Girard schools through January at the rate of $200 a day.

1974: Figures released by the Youngstown Board of Trade show that over 7,500 Youngstowners participated in the free Saturday bus ride program during the first year of operation.

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are named national champions of college football by the Associated Press after beating Alabama, 24-23, in the Sugar Bowl. Ohio State jumps from fourth to second by trouncing Southern California, 42-21, in the Rose Bowl.

1964: The 2nd District Court of Appeals in Dayton reverses a common pleas court decision that Lewis Gegner, a Yellow Springs barber, had the right to refuse service to Negroes.

Youngstown Police Badge No. 139 is retired from service in memory of Patrolman Frank Cichon, who died Dec. 21 while investigating a traffic accident.

1939: Prospects for construction of a $200 million Lake Erie-Ohio River canal are substantially brightened when it is learned that the Army Corps of Engineers considers the project part of a plan to strengthen national defense.

The Youngstown Post Office sets a December record with receipts of $94,881, Assistant Postmaster Harold Stilson reports.